World Physiotherapy unveils resources to support activities relating to World PT Day on 8 September
Physiotherapists in more than 100 countries are being encouraged to raise the profile of their profession on 8 September, when World PT Day is celebrated.
The event is held annually on the same date, marking the day that World Physiotherapy was founded in Denmark in 1951 by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and 10 other national associations.
World PT Day gives physiotherapists opportunities to
- showcase the significant role the profession makes to the health and wellbeing of the global population
- campaign on behalf of the profession and its patients to governments and policymakers
- raise the profile of their profession
Focus on osteoarthritis
Word Physiotherapy has picked osteoarthritis to focus on this year and announced that rheumatological conditions will be the theme of World PT Day in 2023.
A ‘how to take part’ booklet, which is available online, states that 520 million people around the world have osteoarthritis – the most common joint condition.
Six people in 10 with the condition have knee osteoarthritis. In a global study of 291 conditions, hip and knee osteoarthritis was ranked as the 11th highest contributor to disability.
While the precise cause of osteoarthritis remains unclear, various risk factors that increase the risk of osteoarthritis have been identified. These include being overweight or obese, having a previous joint injury or joint surgery or a history of joint overuse, and genetics.
It is important for people living with osteoarthritis to keep as active as possible. This can help improve pain, reduce other symptoms … and help people stay independent. A physiotherapist will be able to guide you on how to keep active
With exercise having been identified as is a first-line treatment for the condition, physiotherapists are well-placed to provide advice and education about pain relief and offer management options. These include teaching people how to improve joint movement and strengthen muscles.
The booklet states: ‘It is important for people living with osteoarthritis to keep as active as possible. This can help improve pain, reduce other symptoms … and help people stay independent. ‘A physiotherapist will be able to guide you on how to keep active,’ it adds.
Range of materials available
The booklet is part of a ‘toolkit', which includes posters to display in public places, information sheets to display and distribute to patients and the public, social media graphics, and a t-shirt design and logo to download and get printed locally. Copies of the information sheets and posters will be available in several languages in due course.
The booklet suggests various events might be held, such as physios speaking at a community event or using social media to highlight the value of physiotherapy and how it can help people living with osteoarthritis.
Other options include holding online exercise classes or working with care givers to assess how physiotherapy can improve people’s lives.
What World Physiotherapy says about World PT Day
- the day marks the unity and solidarity of the physiotherapy community around the world
- it is an opportunity to recognise what physiotherapists do for their patients and community
World Physiotherapy aims to support its 125 member organisations and individual physiotherapists in their efforts to promote the profession and advance global health, using World PT Day as the focus. Through its member organisations, it claims to represent 685,00 physiotherapists.
For more information, visit: https://world.physio/wptday
Author: Ian A McMillan
Share it with
